Eye health labour force in Australia

The delivery of eye health care in Australia is undertaken by an eye health labour force that consists of ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, orthoptists, optical dispensers and optical mechanics. The number of full-time equivalent ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists increased by 15%, 11% and 20% respectively between 2001 and 2006. Ophthalmologists are on average older than other eye health workers. In 2006 the average age of ophthalmologists was 52 years. The average age of the other eye health occupations ranged from 36 years (orthoptists) to 46 years (ophthalmic nurses).